'We've got to stop the run and we've got to tackle better,' Alabama linebacker Nico Johnson said of the Crimson Tide's recent defensive struggles.

Written by

Mark Edwards
Special to the Advertiser

Alabama's game today has the feel of a spring scrimmage, and that's not necessarily a shot at the quality of the opponent, Western Carolina.

Most all of Alabama's work will be on Alabama, just as it is during the spring. And Western Carolina (1-9) provides a safe opponent for the fourth-ranked Crimson Tide (9-1), which is looking to refocus on what remains of the season after last week's stunning loss to Texas A&M.

"We are looking forward," Alabama head coach Nick Saban said. "The only thing that we can gain from the past is lessons learned, for all of us, in terms of what we can do better, what we need ...